Harvard Invitational

About the Competition
Preparing for the Competition
Registration
Travel
Competition Schedule
Important Dates
Contact Info

About the Competition:

The Harvard Invitational is one of the largest and oldest collegiate ballroom dance competitions in the country. Last year the competition attracted over 400 competitors from over 50 schools and studios.

Texas Ballroom has been participating in this competition since spring of 2006---we always do very well! HOOK ‘EM!

This year the Invitational will be held the weekend of March 27-28, 2010 at the Lavietes Pavilion (Briggs Cage) on the Harvard University campus.

Preparing for the Competition:

Every year, Texas Ballroom sends a group of competitors to compete and represent the University of Texas at the Harvard Invitational. First thing you need to do is find a partner! Look around and ask people during the classes, socials, and dances if they are looking for a partner and want to compete. We also have a Partner Search tab on our website where you can post and look for a partner.

Practice

Practice, practice, practice! This is the only way you will do well. How much time you spend practicing and preparing for this competition is up to you and your partner.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Instructors and more experienced members are always willing to lend a hand. Some competitors will take a few private lessons with the instructors in the weeks leading up to the comp. This is totally optional.

Remember our Open Practice dates and times:
Thursdays, 6-8 PM at Anna Hiss Gym
Fridays, 6-8 PM (Technique Class) and 8-10pm at Anna Hiss Gym
Saturdays, 2-4 PM at RSC 1.104

Dress Rehearsal

A week before the Invitational we hold a competition style dress rehearsal at Anna Hiss Gym. You and your partner perform your routines (yes, you must have routines by this point!) in front of 3-4 judges and a small audience. At the end of the dress rehearsal the judges will give you notes and critiques. We hold the dress rehearsal to help you. We want you to do well.

Registration

You and your partner will register for the competition through the Competition Director. Once you are registered, you can not add any events.

Registration Fee:

• Regular Registration (Feb. 12 - March 8):
  Newcomer Events only: $10/person
  1 level: $20/person
  2 levels: $25/person
• Late Registration (March 8 - 22):
  Newcomer Events only: $25/person
  1 level: $45/person
  2 levels: $55/person

Events & Levels:

Not all events are offered in every level. For more details about Events & Levels please refer to the General Information page.

Events:

• International Standard
  Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz
• International Latin
  Cha-cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble
• American Smooth
  Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz
• American Rhythm
  Cha-cha, Rumba, Mambo, Swing, Bolero

Levels:
Newcomer, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Pre-Champ, Open, Champ

Travel

Flights:

We recommend you search websites like Priceline, Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, Hotwire for roundtrip airfare deals. Book your flight as soon as possible!

Hotel/Housing:

This year there are two options for housing:

• Hotel Rooms:

  Keep in mind that the hotel cost can be split between 4 of you! More hotel info coming soon.

• Housing with members of the Harvard ballroom team
  

  The Harvard team has offered us housing for the comp. This will either be a dorm room or an apartment. Let me know ASAP if you’d rather do this so I can let Harvard know. Space is limited, so the sooner you tell me, the more likely you’ll be able to get housing.

  The deadline for letting the Comp Director know if you’ll need housing is Friday, February 26, 2010.

Competition Schedule

Day 1: Saturday, March 27th

Event Info & Schedule TBA

The Hanlon-Ford Ball:

The highlight of the Harvard Invitational is the Hanlon-Ford Ball, held on Saturday evening. The Ball features the final rounds of the open level competition, the formation team competition, professional performances, and an evening of social dancing. This is our opportunity to mingle with the other competition teams!

Day 2: Sunday, March 28th

Event Info & Schedule TBA

Important Dates

1. Housing Deadline: Friday, February 26th, 2010
2. Paperwork Deadline: TBA
3. Dress Rehearsal: TBA
4. Competition: Saturday, March 27th - Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Contact Info

If you have any questions about Harvard or if you’d like to be added to the Competitor’s email list, please feel free to contact me:

Eugenia Montoya
Competition Director
compdirector@texasballroom.org